Sister M. Francine McDonald, OSF, a Sister of St. Francis of the Providence of God for 75 years, died at the age of 96 on October 9, 2026. Sister Francine was born in Grand Rapids, MI. Growing up on a farm as the youngest and only girl, she was doted on by her 10 older brothers but learned grit and a strong work ethic from her father with the seeds of devotion and faith sowed by her loving and patient mother. Sister Francine attended Sts. Peter and Paul Parish School, where she was taught by our Sisters. Soon after graduating Grand Rapid’s Catholic Central High School, Sister Francine entered the Congregation. Sister Francine earned a Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Education from Duquesne University. Her first teaching assignment was third grade at St. George School in Cleveland, OH. Sister’s 44-years as an elementary teacher included serving parish schools in Moon Run. PA; Homestead, PA; Pittsburgh; Coopersville, MI; Elizabeth, NJ; and West Mifflin, PA. After she retired from full-time teaching, she served as a teaching assistant in Beaver, PA then as an auxiliary staff member at our former Franciscan Spirit & Life Center for 13 years. In addition to her deep spirituality and faith, Sister Francine will be remembered for her humor, storytelling, and hospitality.  Over the years, she mastered several recipes to make for Sisters and friends, including Lithuanian recipes for kugelis, potato, pancakes and cold beet soup.  She would also make ausukai (Lithuanian fried-dough cookies often pronounced oh-sookies) and macaroons as treats to share with Sisters, guest and staff, as well as many family and friends to whom she would often mail treats.

Sister Francine’s Wake Reflection

Sister Margaret “Peg” Markey, a Sister of St. Francis of the Providence of God for 69 years, died at the age of 87 on June 7, 2026.  Born April 4, 1939, in Wheeling WV, she is survived by her Franciscan Sisters in community and her sister Susan (Bernard) Zidar, nieces, nephews, and grand nieces and nephews.

Sister Peg was raised in Whitehall, PA, where she attended St. Bernard School and St. Francis Academy. Upon graduation, she entered the Sisters of St. Francis of the Providence of God in September 1957. Sister Peg earned a B.S. and M.S. in Education from Duquesne University, and a B.A. in Liturgical Music from St. Joseph College, IN.

Always seeking a way to serve the poor and promote justice, Sister Peg engaged in a variety of ministries. She first served in elementary education as a teacher for 12 years in PA: Mt. St. Peter (New Kensington), St. George (Philadelphia), Holy Trinity, St. Gabriel, and St. Valentine Schools (Pittsburgh). She then taught for 7 years at St. Francis Academy (Pittsburgh) before becoming a chaplain at the Youth Development Center in Waynesburg, and then counseled at Covenant House in New York. For ten years, she cared for the elderly at the Motherhouse and South Minister Place in Washington, PA, as an administrator. She then served 7 years as a foster mom for children with HIV-AIDS in Houston TX, and as a caregiver in Pittsburgh.

In 2004, Sr. Peg was elected as General Councilor for 2 terms, then returned to work as a liturgist and as a volunteer at Beatitude House (Youngstown OH). Her final ministry was as Congregational Archivist, sharing her meticulous organizational skills.